Wolf's Howl: Divoký Wolves, #2

By Hayden West

One can't always suppress their longings and needs
Eryc Aitken is a shifter, but he doesn't want the cursed life that comes with being one. He spends his time doing what he can to repress his wolf's need. It doesn't always go as he would like it to and when the time comes for him to embrace the part of him, he'd spent so long ignoring, he revels in the freedom offered. Does he have what it takes to embrace both the humanity and the wildness?
Nathaniel McDole, is second in command for the Divoký Pack. He has a role to play and that doesn't involve allowing unwanted strangers on their lands. Until his wolf gets a smell of the newcomer. His mate. But this one is determined to leave here as fast as he can, forgetting he is wolf.
Nate's not about to let him go. He doesn't want to be alone for the rest of his life. Now, all he has to do is convince Eryc, it's impossible to ignore the wolf's howl.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hayden West
• Release date: Jan 31, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223745754

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Run!

His body craved it, his mind demanded it. And so he listened. No matter how much he longed to be in bed at this ungodly hour, like other normal people doing what they liked to call sleeping.

Eryc Aitken wiped the back of his hand over his nose but didn’t slow. His mind tuned out everything but the continual pounding of his feet on the asphalt. The puddles didn’t slow him, nor the spray from the few cars he ran by. The ride share cars, taxis and cops.

There were many he knew, for he was a frequent visitor down to this part of town at this time of night. When he first had to start running to silence the voice in his head, the cops had been leery of him but night after night, this was what he did and they had gotten used to him. Some would toss him a wave as they sat in their patrol cars out of the elements.

While he no longer feared being gunned down on the street because he was brown skin, he was still suspicious. Of everyone. And everything.

Part of why he worked from home so he didn’t have to associate with people. He didn’t much care for them.

Picking up his pace, he squinted off in the pouring rain that just started up again, soaked in seconds. He had another four miles to get back home.

Whoop whoop.

He groaned as he slowed to a stop, not pleased he had to stop running without his usual slowdown routine. The vehicle with the lights flashing on the top was a large SUV. Only once it was up beside him, did the window slide down.

The man behind the wheel cocked an eyebrow as he ran his gaze over Eryc. A small head jerk and then the window returned up, blocking out the weather that seemed intent on drowning him. But he listened. The detective who stopped was one he knew and spoke to more than most.

Eryc found a towel waiting for him as he climbed into the heated SUV. Immediately wiping off his face, he settled against the door and stared over at the large man there.

You know, most would think that it’s smarter to run when the weather isn’t piss pour.

Not all of us maintain our girlish figures like you do Detective Rule.

The man flipped him off without a word and put his vehicle back in drive and pulled smoothly away from the curb.

What are you doing out on a night like this? I thought detective’s such as yourself got the cushy daylight jobs.

And yet, crime doesn’t keep to my hours. Perkins Rule was a damn good detective. He glanced at Eryc then upped the heat a bit more.

He wanted to thank him but kept it in his head. Fuck, he was colder than he thought he’d been. A fact that told him one of two things, he had been ignoring part of himself for to long if the elements were getting to him in such a way.

So what did I do, who did I piss off to have you come after me?

You know I wouldn’t have to hunt you down at all fucking hours of the night and interrupt your need to run if you would come out in actual daylight hours.

Never said I needed checking up on.

You know you’re a fucking pain in my ass.

He grinned. Then my work here is done. Eryc wiped his face once more. What do you need?

I need you to run an errand for me.

Do I want to know why this is something you can’t do by yourself?

Not wanting to tip off the fucker.

Who is it? He didn’t have a problem delivering messages. Didn’t take long and the pay was awesome.

Dante van Skike.

He ran the name over in his mind and shook his head. Don’t know the name, where does he hang out?

I don’t think you’re following, Eryc. This man isn’t in town. The only reason I let you in the front seat is because I know I’m not being followed and on the off chance one of the bastards sees my vehicle where I picked you up, doesn’t matter. You don’t live there. So you’re not going to be in danger. All that will change if they realize our connection. Because of this, I cannot take you home.

Figured. Now he was warm, he had to meet the cold winter rain once more.

Reaching for the handle of the door that would push him back out into the elements, he paused and turned back to